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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Thursday, May 15th, 2008

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: 72

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fished Clear Lake from 5-11 through 5-15. Fishing was slow until Thursday then the bite turned on. Fished out of Edgewater Resort. The bucks were up in the shallows 1 to 3 lbs. Caught fish mostly with dropshot on 6" MM II roboworms and senkos. My brother caught an 8 lb. bass on Tuesday. Thrusday night and Friday morning was an excellent bite. Rocks, docks, and tules it did not seem to matter when the bite was on. I wish I would of waited one more week to come fish the lake. I would say this next week will be the best week for the spawn. Thursday evening and Friday morning the two of us caught about 30 bass. Fish were mostly in the 1.5 to 3 lb. range with a 4 & 5 lb. fish in the mix. My brothers best 5 would of weighed in at about 19 lbs. Friday morning. I came from Ogden Utah to get a good pic and a fiberglass mount but I guess I will have to wait until next year (if I can afford the money for gas). My best ever was at Lake Powell in 1973 @ 7.5 lbs. One of these years I hope to come to Clear Lake and beat that weight. Go to Clear Lake and catch the fish I wanted to catch (Please release her so I can catch her next year. All fish we caught were released. Tight lines to all
      City: Ogden

      Tips: Weightless senkos, dropshot robowroms in red and purple colors worked best. Worked frogs and topwater in the early AM and late PM. (Only got one bite). Water was very clear--use 8lb. line. Get out on the water at first light. A very good bite the first 1.5 hours.

  • Yuba County
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      Water Temp: 70-82

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I decided to try Collins for a change. Water temp was warm for the middle of May. I looked for beds but found none. I did find some brush and saw 3 or 4 bass, but couldn't get them to bite. It was about 90 degrees when I started fishing at 9am. I switched to a fancy jointed wake bait and got slammed by something silver? 5 more hits and no hook ups. I guess they were trout biting at the spinning propeller on this lure. I saw trillions of trout chasing bait, but caught none that I cast toward. Finally picked up a 13" fish on a ripbait. Went up the river and caught another on a senko. Had numerous follows on the wakebait and a swimbait, but only had two fish by 2 pm. Seems collins is like this for me. I went back to the brush pile w/ the fish on it earlier and threw the wakebait. Bam, a nice 2.5 nailed it and I landed it. I then proceed to dump one on a senko. I did find a brush line on a point that the wind was blowing into. First cast with the wakebait and a big one follows it but does not commit. Several casts later, I look away from the lure as I have it half way back to the boat and the water explodes. Wow, a spot almost as long as my arm takes of w/my lure. I stick it, it pulls for a couple of seconds, and then comes unbuttoned. Rats. I then catch a nice spot off a different part of the brush line and have another bite it but miss the hooks. I went around on the downstream side of the brush and picked up 2 more keepers. Interestingly enough, I hit 5 or 6 more brushpiles and never caught another fish.
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: I dont have any tips on this place. I have to hunt and peck for every bite. The lake is low enough that 90% of the brush and trees are up on the bank.

    • By

      Water Temp: 70 DEGREES

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: AWESOME DAY,ONE SPOT PRODUCED 9 FISH FOR 65LBS,BIGGEST 10.5LBS TO 4.5. TWO DAY EALIER THIS SAME SPOT WE LOST A FISH THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN EASILY THE NEW LAKE RECORD. WE ESTIMATED THE FISH WAS PROBABLY 17 TO 19LBS.
      City: PLANADA

      Tips: MY FATHER AND MYSELF HAVE BEEN FISHING THIS LAKE EVER SINCE IT OPENED BACK IN 1984. WE CAUGHT FISH LAST YEAR THAT WEIGHTED 15.9LBS IN THE SPRING. WHAT THIS LAKE NEEDS IS THREADFIN SHAD INTRODUCED INTO IT.IF ANYBODY HAS ANY KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE STEPS NEEDED FOR THIS IT WOULD ONLY MAKE THIS LITTLE LAKE A REAL MONSTER BASS LAKE.

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: 59-67

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: On Wed. the 14th. I had the pleasure of taking two very good fishermen out to learn the lake for an upcoming tournament. We started the morning with top water spooks with some action. Moved around the lake to find feeding bass and to learn what was happening. The post spawn bite was almost every where. Using senko's and tubes they did great with well over 50 bass with around 5 to 6 over. The next day the 15th. I took out two more guys that where fishing the same tournament. A couple of great guys as well.We started out with top water then move down into the water column. The bite came on about the same as the day before except for the jig bite turned on. The guys had 6 over with 50+ for the day. It was great to take out the two sets of tournament fishermen. They were all great guys.
      City: Paradise

      Tips: Its good to start on the top water in the morning then work down the water column with senko's, drop shot, tubes and jigs.

    • By

      Water Temp: 66-70

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I took a couple of good bass anglers to beautiful Oroville Wed. They wanted to learn the lake better so we ran around a lot in addition to fishing. Because of potential wind problems, we stayed in the south and middle forks. We started out with an excellent topwater bite, though the fish were mostly 12 to 14 inches. One of the fellows hooked and lost a big one. We caught bass nearly every place we stopped but the size was disappointing - not sure any were over the slot. Some were just under or just over but we didn't measure. We didn't even count too carefully, but it was the typical "50+" fish day. Two good things happened weather-wise, The north wind came up as predicted - blew for an hour - and then quit! Very strange!! Also, cloud cover moved in during early afternoon and my clients were able to experience an excellent afternoon rip bite on Staycees! Topwater would have probably worked too - should have tried it. Lots of fun!
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: Senkos didn't work well that day, but drop-shotting and Texas rigging worms did. They brought most of their own stuff so I am not really sure what was best. One of the guys had a worm that was really good. I caught some on several colors of Robo worms. Most bass were at the typical 8 to 20 feet and whatever depth the topwater and rip fish were. Morning topwater bass were right on the bank. I think if the lure landed on a rock - the bass would have jumped out of the water and got it!! I just wish the size had been better.

  • Trinity County
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      Water Temp: 57

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: AWESOM FISHERY GO OUT WITH JOHN GRAY MOST HUMBLEGUIDE OUT THERE. HE EVEN LISTENED TO AL OF AL'S STORIES THANKS AGAIN JOHN... PS WILL THE SECRET BAITS WORK AT ALMANOR IN JUNE?????? YOUR FRIEND MIKE
      City: MOUNTAIN VIEW

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008

  • Santa Clara County
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      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Lake is closed to all water craft per Santa Clara Water District. Should be back open by Memorial day weekend says website.

      Tips: fish from the shore?

    • By

      Water Temp: n/a

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Well I intended on fishing San Luis but theve dropped the water so fast in the last three week's I decided it would not be worth it.
      So I got a late start but still basicly had the whole lake to myself..cool.Very slow first two hour's not one bite.Tried Crank's and Senko's nothing.Switched to Baby Brushhog's and finally picked up three one 5lb's rest 2-2.5lb's.Had a few more hit's but missed them all along one stretch within 20 minute's.Then a long dry spell until I picked up two more on drop shot 2.5lb's.That was it long day for a limit.And to the guy's in the older Glastron why not let those fish go.
      City: Salinas

      Tips: stop speeding on the lake,those other three bass boat's,you are going to ruin it for us that obey the law's.5MPH Max on this lake.

  • Sonoma County
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      Water Temp: 64 -67

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fished Wednesday evening and Thursday morning in main body and Cherry Creek. Caught about 12 bass between 12 to 18 inches on dartheading worms, brush hogs, top water, tubes, and senkos. Senkos got the most hits. Saw a lot of 15 to 20 inch bass cruising, but not biting.
      City: Novato

Tuesday, May 13th, 2008

  • Solano County
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      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Went fishing with my partner Floor Guy at the start of in coming tide. Tried the tullies and got a couple of fish with spinner baits. Started fishing with plastics about 9:30am and stayed with it and we ended up catching at least 20 fish. The fish were scattered between the rock walls and the tullies. The biggest one was about 5.5 lbs. I lost an 8lb fish right at the boat. The water was clear in areas. It was windy all day. The majority of the fish were near Tiki.
      City: San Ramon

      Tips: Plastics seem to work the best right now. Remember that when you catch your personal best. Take some pictures, get the length, the girth and the weight if you have a scale and put it back in to breed. You can get an exact duplicate made from a mold out of plastic so there is no need to keep it. If you want to eat some keep the smaller ones.......

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Thanks for the info Bassin Homer... I guess I won't be trying to launch from the North end of the lake. I hope to give the lake a try in a couple of weeks.
      City: Vallejo

  • Sonoma County
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      Water Temp: 70 TO72

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: FISHED SONOMA TODAY FOR BEST RESULTS IN YEARS.MOST FISH WERE IN THE 4 TO 6 POUND RANGE.THEY WERE IN 10 FEET OF WATER OFF WEED LINES. I STAYED ABOUT 50 FEET OFF SHORE AND FLIPPED SENKOS INTO TREES BUSHES AND OPEN BANKS..I WACKY RIGGED WITH OWNER SIZE 2 CICLE HOOKS.FEEL WEIGHT AND REEL SLOWLY THEY HOOK THEMSELVES.MOST FISH ARE LIPPED HOOKED.ALL COLORS WORKED.REDFLAKE IS THE KEY, HOWEVER I FOUND A NEW COLOR THAT THE FISH WERE ON AS SOON AS HIT THE WATER. WORMING RED FLAKE..
      City: SANTA ROSA

      Tips: FISH SLOW STAY BACK FROM THE BANK AND USE 6 OR 8 POUND TEST ON LIGHT SPINNING GEAR..HOLD ON .

    • By

      Water Temp: 70 TO72

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: FISHED SONOMA TODAY FOR BEST RESULTS IN YEARS.MOST FISH WERE IN THE 4 TO 6 POUND RANGE.THEY WERE IN 10 FEET OF WATER OFF WEED LINES. I STAYED ABOUT 50 FEET OFF SHORE AND FLIPPED SENKOS INTO TREES BUSHES AND OPEN BANKS..I WACKY RIGGED WITH OWNER SIZE 2 CICLE HOOKS.FEEL WEIGHT AND REEL SLOWLY THEY HOOK THEMSELVES.MOST FISH ARE LIPPED HOOKED.ALL COLORS WORKED.REDFLAKE IS THE KEY, HOWEVER I FOUND A NEW COLOR THAT THE FISH WERE ON AS SOON AS HIT THE WATER. WORMING RED FLAKE..
      City: SANTA ROSA

      Tips: FISH SLOW STAY BACK FROM THE BANK AND USE 6 OR 8 POUND TEST ON LIGHT SPINNING GEAR..HOLD ON .

Monday, May 12th, 2008

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: 68

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Hats off to you Plastic Man. I too launched out of B&W that day. The highlight of the trip was runing into Kent Brown and Gary Dobyns who were also launching from B&W. Those guys are class acts. Kent gave my partner and I two Triton hats.

      We Fished from Francs Tract to Sycamore Slough. Boy it was windy!! I thought I was going to capsize my 17.5 boat!! Ended up with six dincs between my partner and me. Threw everything at them Senkos, Swim Baits, Sweetbeavers, speed traps, D shots, Split shots, Darter heads etc. I'll get them next time!!

      Tips: Next time I'll follow Brown and Dobyns to their secret spots Lol.

    • By

      Water Temp: 65 deg

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: well dont know where to start. went out of B&W resort the north wind was just a howling it looked like sand storms on my way to ramp dust every where . my wife was with me and we talked about just going home but didn't happen! we launched and that was the best thing i did all day! the fish were hot today 15 fish today never went further than 2 miles from ramp caught some really nice fish today . stayed around marina and tyler island east side to try to get out of wind speed traps were a hit today senko was the killer though. watermelon red green flake 5" took some really nice pics going to post up biggest went 5 lbs lots of 3 lbers i think my digital scale is on the blink cause it only read 3 but i know it was bigger. Anyhow had a great day thanks to my wife who took all the pics and getting to be quiet the boat operator ,Noticed fish are getting more aggressive with the warmer water fish are swallowing plastics deep! Saw some bass schooling some shade grabbed crank bait and hooked up with a couple of dinks. it was great.Same place we saw them Dave this time I was on top of it.. going to try to get out again before i go back to work wind or not, get out and JUST DO IT...tight lines to all Cya on the water "PLASTICMAN1"
      City: Elmira Ca

      Tips: 5" senko red green flake texas stle, shad speed trap. Look for the perfect formula and you will find them stacked up

  • Mendocino County
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      Water Temp: 66-70

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: First time to the lake in two years. Camped at Kyen which is great since you can launch your boat right there and park it on the beach for the duration of your stay. Fished Saturday and Sunday Morning and Saturday Afternoon. Saturday afternoon was a bust with only a 12 volt trolling motor, it was next to impossible to hold a position to fish. Saturday morning was okay. Found a creek channel with a nice population of small males that liked senko type baits. Caught three keepers and missed a couple more. All three fish were in the 1 lb range. Had some shaker striper bashing bait all around , but couldn't find anything they were interested in. Sunday morning was better. pulled up on a secondary point and on the second cast with a swim bait nailed a nice 24 inch striper. That was it for the striper, but the largemoth would not leave me alone. Caught four on the swim bait, three on a drop in the submerged bushes off this point, another 2 on the senko and two more on a fluke.
      Best five went 9 pounds. Not huge but not a bad three hours of fishing. Would have stayed longer, but we had to break camp and head home.
      City: Sonoma

      Tips: Keep trying different lures and colors until something works. They loved the water melon black flake senko and the ghost color Maverick swimbait. Unfortunately I only had one left and it got trashed by the Striper. So I threw it a few more times and caught two more before it was history Put the hitch pattern on instead and caught a couple more, but no where near as consistent as it looked like the ghost pattern was going to produce.

  • Tuolumne County
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      Water Temp: 65

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: What a great day on the lake . Took a client out on FRiday and had one of them days that you never forget. We launched at Angles arm and didn't start the big motor. On the
      First cast my client had a 3lber on a topwater and I had a dink on a worm. The action was non stop all day long.We caught uncountable amounts of fish on mostly topwater ,what a blast. My client (Lynn) was so happy he gave me a $200 tip. That even covered the gas and everthing, lol. We did get a few fish sight fishing ,which he had never done. Book a trip and lets go get them. wwwmarkmcgowanguideservice.com
      .
      City: Livermore

      Tips: Put a bait in the water and they will eat it. Topwater, worms , senkos

  • Palo Pinto County
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      Water Temp: dirty

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished for 7 hrs, swimbait, crank, spinner, worms creatures.One little dink talked to others and nothing. This lake sucks and don't waste your time and you have to be off the lake early. Saw some nice dead carp
      City: Watsonvil

      Tips: dont fish there

  • Shasta County
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      Water Temp: 60-64

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Just got back from Houseboat trip . On the lake 7-11 and fished the Sac and McCloud Arms. The bite was good and improved later in the day as the water temp would rise 3-4 degrees. Most fish were caught off points but some were back in shallow coves starting to nest. Our best were 2-2.5 lbs but most were 10- 12 inches. We threw gitizs, robos and senkos. I threw swimbaits early and late with no takers. The lake level is already at mid summer level and appeared to drop several inches daily. Good Luck
      City: Eureka

Sunday, May 11th, 2008

  • Napa County
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      Water Temp: 70

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Clear (4-6 feet visibility)
      Report: Got out around 8:00am Markley cove great weather. Fish some of the narrows got a few little spots dart heading. After boat traffic goy big went to the main body picked up some large mouth on top water and some good smallies 2 that were over 3lbs draging a worm. Ended up with 22 fish then the wind kicked in.

      Tips: Tips: Berryessa is hot when the wind not blowing.